Hire and onboard talent legally in Dubai
To legally work in Dubai and across the UAE, expatriate employees must hold a MOHRE work permit (private sector) and a UAE residence visa under employer sponsorship. MOHRE issues 13 types of work permits depending on the role/arrangement (new hire, part-time, transfer, temporary, etc.). Once the permit is approved, residency is completed via GDRFA (Dubai) / ICP (federal).
How Consultycs helps (end-to-end)
- Map the right MOHRE permit type to each role (incl. part-time/transfer)
- Prepare and file entry permits, status changes, and medical/Emirates ID
- Manage GDRFA/ICP residency stamping and renewals
- Align HR onboarding with current rules to avoid penalties and delays
Who can sponsor an employment visa?
- Mainland (private sector) employers registered with MOHRE
- Free zone companies (via their respective authority) Sponsors apply for the work permit first, then complete residency (entry permit → status change → medical → Emirates ID → visa stamping).
Documents typically required
- Passport (6+ months validity) & compliant photo
- Offer letter/employment contract and MOHRE application
- Entry permit (if outside UAE) or status change (if inside)
- Medical fitness certificate from an approved centre (EHS/DHA)
- Emirates ID biometrics (ICP)
(Authorities may request additional documents case-by-case.)
Step-by-step process (Dubai / UAE)
- MOHRE work permit: Employer secures the appropriate permit type for the role (new hire, part-time, transfer, etc.).
- Entry permit (eVisa) & status change: Employee enters the UAE or converts in-country.
- Medical fitness: Undertaken at an approved centre; a fitness certificate is mandatory for residency issuance/renewal.
- Emirates ID: Biometrics captured and ID application filed with ICP.
- Residency stamping: GDRFA/ICP issues the residence visa (2-3 years typical) linked to the employment contract/authority.
- Good to know: Most submissions are now fully digital through government portals, which speeds up processing and reduces errors.
Validity, renewals & grace periods
a. Validity: Commonly 2 years in mainland; some free zones issue up to 3 years, per authority.
b. Grace after cancellation/expiry The grace period varies by visa type and is shown in your ICP/GDRFA record; overstay fines are AED 50/day after the grace period. Always check your individual record.
Frequently Asked Questions
Once documents are in order, the sequence (permit → entry/status change → medical → Emirates ID → stamping) typically completes within several working days, depending on authority's workloads.
A medical fitness exam at an approved centre is mandatory for new visas and renewals
Yes, the UAE recognises part-time arrangements and additional work with the appropriate MOHRE permit and approvals.
Grace periods differ by case/visa type; check your ICP record. AED 50/day overstay fines apply after the grace period.
Commonly 2 years (mainland), with some free zones issuing up to 3 years, subject to authority policy and contract.
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